Yay to a new chapter! Thank you to Missy 63 for reviewing the last chapter. Reviews really help motivate me so please let me know what you think! Hope you all enjoy this chapter :)

I laughed as Jackson threw a snowball at me as we skidding across the ice. I almost slipped as it hit me in the shoulder.

"I'm coming for you!" He laughed as he let his bare feet timidly step across the top of the ice toward me.

"That's what you think!" I yelled back as I grabbed a hand full of snow on the bank of the lake. I pressed it firmly in my hands and turned around as Jack barreled into me. I let out a small yell as he fell on top of me while my head landed in the freshly fallen snow.

"Sorry," he said laughed as he began to lift himself up on his hands, "I thought I could stop in time." I smiled at him as we locked eyes. He began to slowly inch towards my face as I raised my arm and smashed my snowball into his head.

"Ah," he gasped shaking his dark hair which was snow speckled in white, "That's cold."

"I got you. I win." I stated smirking at him.

"Really," he began leaning back down towards me, "I think I'm in a pretty good position here though." I felt my cheeks turn red as butterflies danced in my stomach. He gave me his signature smirk as he parted his lips slightly. Damn that smirk. I closed my eyes as our lips were about to meet.

"Nice try."

My eyes snapped open at the sound of his voice. Jack was nowhere to be seen. I quickly stood while trying to not lose my balance on the ice. I was alone, and the ice beneath me started to crack and turn black. Before I could move I fell into the freezing water. I let out a scream that became muddled by the water around me. I swam up to get out but the ice was no longer broken. It was solid. I banged against it with all my strength, but to no avail. I felt darkness surround me as the butterflies in my stomach turned into a tightness that comes from fear. Right as I thought I was going to pass out, I felt two hands grab me and pull me upwards.

I coughed up the cold water as I was placed on the ground. On my hands and knees I shivered and continued gasping for air.

"Th-Thank you." I finally uttered as I looked up. I froze as my eyes trailed up to see the face of my savior: Death.

"You're so welcome." I pushed myself back and let my hands fall behind me. I was no longer at my childhood sanctuary, but a dark room. It was furnished with two chairs and a round table. The room contained a large bed covered in red sheets and pillows which were stark contrast to the black tile beneath me. I saw no windows that let in any outside light.

"Do you like it?"

"Where am I? What are you doing here?" I said slowly standing. My clothes were frigid and sticking to me from the water. I pushed my hair out of the way so it hung behind me.

"I had planned on seeing you tonight," Death started as he pulled out one of the dark wooden chairs and sat down, "and you won't believe my disbelief when I saw you already dreaming." He leaned forward and placed his hands on top of the table. "Get the Sandman to help you?"

I didn't respond as I glanced toward the door about ten feet away to my left. Before I could move I felt something cool wrap around my wrist. I looked down and let out a gasp as I saw his shadows slowly snaking around my right arm. I tried to pull and claw at the darkness as it pulled me toward the table.

"Sit." Seeing no other choice. I slowly sat down in the table across from him. I didn't have my staff, I tried to keep my fear from showing as I felt my throat tighten.

"What do you want?"

"I've made it clear have I not?"

"No," I said strongly making his red eyes squint as he leaned in closer towards me, "There is more to it."

"There really isn't."

"You're lying. I've been around you before now and I'm not afraid of you. Tell me the truth."

"But you are afraid." He then suddenly slammed his hands on the table and leaned so close to me I could feel his breath. I flinched back in my chair and felt my hands tremble slightly as I instinctively raised them. He chuckled as I turned toward the door, trying to ignore his gaze. "See?"

"Great job. You got somebody to jump from your hideous face." I swung my fist out ready to make contact with his face. I gasped when he easily grabbed my fist with his hand. I thought I had the element of surprise on my side.

"You really thought that would work," he said slowly pushing my hand toward me. My arm was shaking from the amount of force I was using to try and best him. "This is my territory. You can't beat me here." My arms were then quickly forced down to the arms of the chair. I winced as the were tightly wound with his wispy shadows.

"Worth the shot...Benjamin." His eyes widened as he slowly leaned back to sit on his chair.

"You've seen your memories."

"You took some of them."

"What makes you think I would do that?"

"I'm not stupid."

"I'm not saying you are." I sighed in frustration as he laughed. "I should have known you would have."

"It must matter that I did."

"It doesn't."

"Then why did you take some of my memories?" I glared at him as he continued to look at me amused.

"I always loved how spunky you were," I felt a shiver run down my spine as he stood up and leaned against the table, "But this amount of stubbornness is fun."

"You've known that we had a past. Why did you wait so long to try to show yourself?"

"You don't need to know that."

"Oh," I said smiling, "So you admit there is more too this whole thing." Death frowned as he began to walk toward me, letting his hand graze against the table.

"We have a very...special connection."

"What does that mean? No we don't." I flexed my arms against my dark binds, but they wouldn't budge.

"Of course we do. Have you seen me invading anybody else's dreams?" My neck grew tight as he got closer to me.

"I-I thought this was Pitch."

"Yes that fool is helpful at times," I was surprised at his words. Why would he team up with somebody he doesn't respect? "He does help open the door so to speak of your mind, but why do you think I can so easily access it?"

"Sounds like you know why."

"And I know that you want to be here." I stiffened as his hand made its way to my wrist.

"Don't touch me." With the speed of a shadow he was behind the chair with his hands on my shoulders. He bent down so his lips were just above my ear.

"Look at that," He said letting his thumb trail across the small cut on my chin, "It's almost healed. I threw my head away from his hand and tried again to move my arms with no luck.

"No thanks to you."

"I know you figured out these dreams are real. They effect you once you wake up."

"So what?" I scowled. I tried to not let my voice shake as thoughts began to form in my head of what he could do to me.

"Why didn't you tell anybody?"

"Because I want answers."

"You should have told your Guardian friends, but you didn't. Not even Jackson." He said his name with such venom I almost flinched. He pulled the chair out and placed his hands on my wrists, kneeling in front of me. "You want more than answers."

"Shut up."

"Sara," I turned to look towards the door again when he grabbed my chin and forced my head back to look at him, "You know this is where you are meant to be. Subconsciously, you understand this is how all of this is going to end." He began to lean towards me, his lips slightly parted. I struggled as he got closer and closer.

"NO." I yelled. Suddenly, I broke free of the chair. In an explosion of light that suddenly surrounded me, I pushed my hands forward causing him to fly backwards. The table broke underneath him as I suddenly felt lightheaded. I took a shaky breath as the brightness suddenly stopped.

"How did you-"

"You don't know me," I said as Death slowly stood up, "I will never want this. I will never want you." I saw him physically recoil at my words.

"You don't have a choice."

"Yes, I do." My heart thudded against my chest as he began to walk towards me, blood slowly running down his arm.

He lunged for me and I felt his arms wrap around me as I turned toward the door. I struggled and screamed, but he was too strong too fast. He threw me against the wall and held me there, his eyes were filled with anger.

"I will get what I want. I always have." My eyes were filling with tears, but I pushed them down and laughed at him.

"Not me," His breathing was heavy and warm against my face, "How does it feel coming in second again?"

With a yell his hand rose and made contact with the side of my face. I felt the sting of the slap as the force threw me to the floor. He threw himself on top of me and grabbed my wrists to hold them down on either side of my head. I tasted blood in my mouth as he spoke.

"Tell Jackson to watch his back," He laughed as I felt a tear slide down my face, "I'll be there soon."